GWR Class 800

[GazK]

I had thought it could allow 125mph on both routes like the white elephant at colton.

The junction is constrained by the overbridges at each end and going yo the north. Remodelling for 125 would be a major project in its own right and I doubt the cost-benefit would stack up. What Would the journey time gain be? A minute maybe?

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[Class 170101]

Are there any videos of the 800s pulling away using overheads as opposed to the Diesel engines? I've seen there are some videos of them running at speed drawing from OHLE but haven't been able to find any with them pulling away.

Basically no, because the Class 800 has done such little amount of testing with the OHLE on the mainlines so far, and most of the stations on the GWML are unelectrified (par a few). Also most of the OHLE testing was conducted at night and used diesel power until in the test zone.

Hasn't one been tested in Electric mode on the ECML instead yet?

 

[leomartin125]

Hasn't one been tested in Electric mode on the ECML instead yet?

Yes this is true, although nearly all of these occurred at night. I'm surprised myself to have not seen any footage in electric mode yet, and a lot of the tests on the ECML has been done with the diesel engines engaged.

 

[J-2739]

Yes this is true, although nearly all of these occurred at night. I'm surprised myself to have not seen any footage in electric mode yet, and a lot of the tests on the ECML has been done with the diesel engines engaged.

There was an electric test earlier on the GWML, if I recall reading earlier posts.

 

[leomartin125]

There was an electric test earlier on the GWML, if I recall reading earlier posts.

Yes but as stated, the train was running with it's diesel engines from the siding at Wantage Road, and was only raising it's pantograph when it entered the electrified section. So technically this doesn't show the train departing with electric power, as it was diesel initially.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I had thought it could allow 125mph on both routes like the white elephant at colton.

Oi !

There's nothing unwelcome about travelling through Colton Jn at speed - especially on the Flyer which didn't even stop at York, or when it's getting me home early [which often happens when the last few stops are 'set down only'].

 

[leomartin125]

Just for everyone's information, 800101 moved from North Pole IEP Depot to Stoke Gifford tonight, and may be participating in some testing tomorrow night between Stoke Gifford and Reading, same as with Wednesday night.

 

[Tw99]

I went out to see one of the units pass Purley on Thames this evening. It was an hour late, so couldn't see too much in the dark. Although this section of the main lines is electrified (only energised on Saturday nights still?), I think it was running on diesel. Even so, it was pretty quiet compared to the usual HST, voyager or turbo DMU. Nice to have finally seen one though.

I see from Leomartins post that it was 800101

 

[leomartin125]

I went out to see one of the units pass Purley on Thames this evening. It was an hour late, so couldn't see too much in the dark. Although this section of the main lines is electrified (only energised on Saturday nights still?), I think it was running on diesel. Even so, it was pretty quiet compared to the usual HST, voyager or turbo DMU. Nice to have finally seen one though.

I see from Leomartins post that it was 800101

Correct. Was running ECS so absolutely no point of using the pantograph on this occasion, although if this same unit operates the tests tonight, you never know!Sounds about right for them to test the 9 car Class 800 on electric now after the five car has been tested.

 

[MonsooN]

Picture of a Virgin Azuma that appeared on Virgin EC's Twitter feed late last night.

I think it looks rather nice!

 

[JN114]

Picture of a Virgin Azuma that appeared on Virgin EC's Twitter feed late last night.

I think it looks rather nice!

At Slough of all places!

 

[fowler9]

Picture of a Virgin Azuma that appeared on Virgin EC's Twitter feed late last night.

I think it looks rather nice!

It does look rather nice there. It has grown on me.

 

[shaun]

Picture of a Virgin Azuma that appeared on Virgin EC's Twitter feed late last night.

I think it looks rather nice!

They are beautiful trains, gutted I haven't yet seen one out and about. Cant wait to try one out... All I'm really bothered about is comfort and noise insulation really, compared to other recent IC train offerings. Cant see them failing on those terms, from what I've seen so far they put the Voyagers to shame.

 

[irish_rail]

Have to say I prefer the Virgin Azuma livery compared to the green GWR livery, which suits a HST but in my opinion doesn't look quite right on an IET. The Azuma looks far more modern and sleek compared with the GWR green set which I feel looks clunkier and less streamlined.

Though of course it is substance not style that matters!! Just a pity GWR cannot have more 9 car sets like Virgin!.....

 

[D1009]

800101 was outside the shed at Stoke Gifford today in full view from trains between Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood. Made a fine sight in the sunshine.

 

[swt_passenger]

Have to say I prefer the Virgin Azuma livery compared to the green GWR livery, which suits a HST but in my opinion doesn't look quite right on an IET. The Azuma looks far more modern and sleek compared with the GWR green set which I feel looks clunkier and less streamlined.

Though of course it is substance not style that matters!! Just a pity GWR cannot have more 9 car sets like Virgin!.....

I think it has been suggested earlier that both the Virgin and GWR liveries were basically done quickly for PR purposes, I suppose it is always possible that the production units will be different in some aspect to another.

(Congratulations by the way on being thoughtful enough to comment on the above image without quoting it and providing yet another successive copy...) :roll:

 

[D1009]

Just for everyone's information, 800101 moved from North Pole IEP Depot to Stoke Gifford tonight, and may be participating in some testing tomorrow night between Stoke Gifford and Reading, same as with Wednesday night.

And looks to be returning to North Pole on Thursday evening.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97553/2016/08/17/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97554/2016/08/18/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97555/2016/08/18/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97557/2016/08/18/advanced

 

[southern442]

I think it has been suggested earlier that both the Virgin and GWR liveries were basically done quickly for PR purposes, I suppose it is always possible that the production units will be different in some aspect to another.

(Congratulations by the way on being thoughtful enough to comment on the above image without quoting it and providing yet another successive copy...) :roll:

I really don't like the Azuma livery. It looks like an all-over advert for a phone company or an airline or similar. It just feels a bit plain and boring and not at all aesthetically pleasant. But I think that the GWR livery does look quite good on the IEP's, not as good as it does on the HST but still pretty good. If they had grey doors it would look a bit nicer.

 

[Mordac]

I really don't like the Azuma livery. It looks like an all-over advert for a phone company or an airline or similar. It just feels a bit plain and boring and not at all aesthetically pleasant. But I think that the GWR livery does look quite good on the IEP's, not as good as it does on the HST but still pretty good. If they had grey doors it would look a bit nicer.

Like Virgin Atlantic?

 

[Harbornite]

Like Virgin Atlantic?

https://www.planespotters.net/photo/711196/g-vfan-virgin-atlantic-airways-boeing-787-9-dreamliner

Not hard to imagine this on an Azuma, just get rid of the "Virgin Atlantic" brand and the woman holding the Union flag!


In all seriousness, the Azumas would look better in Red and silver with red doors.

 

[jimm]

I think it has been suggested earlier that both the Virgin and GWR liveries were basically done quickly for PR purposes, I suppose it is always possible that the production units will be different in some aspect to another.

(Congratulations by the way on being thoughtful enough to comment on the above image without quoting it and providing yet another successive copy...) :roll:

The Virgin one was a quick 'stick on a bit of vinyl' job for the publicity event. The GWR livery is pretty much what the finished trains will look like.

 

[JaJaWa]

GWR livery is final.

VTEC livery is just some red vinyl on the white train, getting a full colour livery for launch.

 

[southern442]

GWR livery is final.

VTEC livery is just some red vinyl on the white train, getting a full colour livery for launch.

Any chance anyone knows what livery they will be getting specifically?

 

[J-2739]

Any chance anyone knows what livery they will be getting specifically?

Probably similar that 'Coca-Cola can' livery they have on VTWC.
Like this one=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Virgin_Trains_East_Coast_Super_Express_Train.jpg
(Not my photo)

 

[southern442]

Probably similar that 'Coca-Cola can' livery they have on VTWC.
Like this one=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Virgin_Trains_East_Coast_Super_Express_Train.jpg
(Not my photo)

That would look quite decent in my opinion.

 

[NotATrainspott]

The GWR-vinyled 800 looks odd because they've had to apply a green base layer vinyl on top of the grey paint. While it might be in the IEP specification that the trains will be painted grey, that won't be the case for any 802s that GWR order through a ROSCO. Will we end up with a mix of vinyl and painted green sets?

 

[Goldfish62]

The GWR-vinyled 800 looks odd because they've had to apply a green base layer vinyl on top of the grey paint. While it might be in the IEP specification that the trains will be painted grey, that won't be the case for any 802s that GWR order through a ROSCO. Will we end up with a mix of vinyl and painted green sets?

I would have thought so.

 

[Master29]

Is it true by the way that GWR have taken up their further option on 7 more 9 car 802`s?

 

[swt_passenger]

It was in the media 3rd August, we discussed it at length at the time:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...rn-railway-orders-more-hitachi-trainsets.html

 

[Tim R-T-C]

The GWR-vinyled 800 looks odd because they've had to apply a green base layer vinyl on top of the grey paint. While it might be in the IEP specification that the trains will be painted grey, that won't be the case for any 802s that GWR order through a ROSCO. Will we end up with a mix of vinyl and painted green sets?

Presumably the vinyled sets will be painted when time allows, my understanding is that painted sets are easier to maintain.